asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of decrees for possession of rooms or houses that have been applied for and granted by the courts in the City and County of Dublin during the two years ended 30th September, 1946; and also the number of such decrees which were lodged with a sheriff to carry out the eviction of the tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Decrees for Possession.
Mr. Boland
The number of decrees for possession of rooms and houses granted by the courts in respect of the City and County of Dublin during the two years ended 30th September, 1946, was 5,019. Of this number 3,172, or approximately 63 per cent., were decrees given in ejectment proceedings brought at the instance of the Dublin Corporation.
In the same period the total number of decrees of the kind referred to lodged with the city sheriff and the county under-sheriff for execution was 657. Of this number 134 were withdrawn, 523 being actually executed.
Would the Minister be able to say how many of these cases were brought about by decrees secured by Deputy Byrne himself?
That does not arise.
Is the Minister aware that Deputy Briscoe is also a member of the corporation and that any evictions which took place were due to clearance?
The two Deputies can settle that matter at the corporation meeting.
I am talking of private property.
I never had any property in my life.
That is a very vicious implication, that Deputy Byrne evicted people out of private tenement property. That is true or false and, if it is false, should be withdrawn.
I never said he evicted them.
No, but you meant it.
I asked how many of these evictions were brought about by cases for which decrees were secured in court in the name of Deputy Byrne as distinct from corporation property, and that is true.
I can assure the House that I never had any property in my life and was never responsible for any evictions.
Hear, hear!
Did you not secure two evictions?
It does not arise.
I will prove it to the Deputy.